UIC wagon numbers

Last updated
Wagon number, 81 stands for Austria Lastgrenzenraster.jpg
Wagon number, 81 stands for Austria
This ITL Hbbillns goods wagon with country code 56 is based in Slovakia Gedeckter-Guterwagen-Hbillns-der-ITL-Schriftfeld.JPG
This ITL Hbbillns goods wagon with country code 56 is based in Slovakia
Wagon number of an Italian Rgmms flat wagon Rgmms-Anschriften.jpg
Wagon number of an Italian Rgmms flat wagon

Wagon numbers (or coach numbers) are key data for railway operations. They enable a railway wagon or coach to be positively identified and form a common language between railway operators, infrastructure companies and the state authorities. The system of wagon numbering has been laid down by the International Union of Railways (Union internationale des chemins de fer or UIC, founded in 1922) and is similar to that used for the locomotives and multiple units. Vehicle numbering is now governed by the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail [1] and in Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) of the European Union.

Contents

The complete wagon number comprises 12 digits. The individual digits have the following meaning:

Digits 1-2:Type of vehicle and indication of the interoperability capacity
(on multiple units, type)
Digits 3-4: Country code (owner before 2006)
Digits 5-8:Vehicle type
Digits 9-11:Individual running number (serial number)
Digit 12:Self-check digit

Placement of the code

As shown on the photographs at right, the code may be arranged either vertically (e.g. on closed wagons) on three or more lines at man's height with the letter codes next to the corresponding part of the digit code, or horizontally (e.g. on flat wagons) at the bottom of the chassis side with all digits together (with groups separated by spaces and the check digit by a dash) and all letters together. It is always found on both sides of the wagon, not on the front or back.

Calculation of the self-check digit

The digits are multiplied individually from right to left alternately by 2 and 1, and digit summed using the Luhn algorithm. The difference between this sum and the next multiple of ten is the check digit, placed after the eleventh digit, separated by a dash.

Examples

Wagon number:21 81 2471 217

 2  1    8  1    2  4  7  1    2  1  7              multiplying by   2  1    2  1    2  1  2  1    2  1  2                  gives  4  1   16  1    4  4 14  1    4  1 14                digit sum  4  1    7  1    4  4  5  1    4  1  5                 sum = 37         next multiple of ten = 40          check digit = 40-37 = 32  1    8  1    2  4  7  1    2  1  7  -  3

Wagon number:51 80 0843 001

 5  1    8  0    0  8  4  3    0  0  1             multiplying by   2  1    2  1    2  1  2  1    2  1  2                  gives 10  1   16  0    0  8  8  3    0  0  2                digit sum  1  1    7  0    0  8  8  3    0  0  2                 sum = 30         next multiple of ten = 30          check digit = 30-30 = 05  1    8  0    0  8  4  3    0  0  1  -  0

Country code

At the beginning of 2006 the country replaced the owner (almost exclusively state railways), with the owner now indicated by following letters. For example, for a vehicle registered in Germany on the AAE, which had its own code as a private railway, 68 AAE became 80 D-AAE. (see also UIC country code)

Reading of numbers

Numbers are read visually, the method of choice today (2008). No railway is able to read the number automatically with the required reliability (less than 1 error in 10,000). Using OCR readers the numbering (DB AG: Font Gerade Normschrift DIN 16 Variant DB) can be only be read to an accuracy of no better than 5% (1 in 20).

Numbering systems

The UIC has the following numbering systems, as detailed in leaflets:

These agreements have not yet achieved the status of a standard or norm.

See also

Related Research Articles

A country code is a short alphanumeric identification code for countries and dependent areas. Its primary use is in data processing and communications. Several identification systems have been developed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ISBN</span> Unique numeric book identifier since 1970

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a numeric commercial book identifier that is intended to be unique. Publishers purchase or receive ISBNs from an affiliate of the International ISBN Agency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle identification number</span> System for identifying vehicles

A vehicle identification number (VIN) (also called a chassis number or frame number) is a unique code, including a serial number, used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles, towed vehicles, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds, as defined by the International Organization for Standardization in ISO 3779 (content and structure) and ISO 4030 (location and attachment).

An International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) uniquely identifies a security. Its structure is defined in ISO 6166. The ISIN code is a 12-character alphanumeric code that serves for uniform identification of a security through normalization of the assigned National Number, where one exists, at trading and settlement.

The UIC classification of locomotive axle arrangements, sometimes known as the German classification or German system, describes the wheel arrangement of locomotives, multiple units and trams. It is used in much of the world, notable exceptions being the United Kingdom, which uses a slightly simplified form of UIC, and in North America, where the AAR wheel arrangement system is used to describe diesel and electric locomotives. In North America, Whyte notation is only used for steam locomotives.

A check digit is a form of redundancy check used for error detection on identification numbers, such as bank account numbers, which are used in an application where they will at least sometimes be input manually. It is analogous to a binary parity bit used to check for errors in computer-generated data. It consists of one or more digits computed by an algorithm from the other digits in the sequence input.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Union of Railways</span> International rail transport industry body

The International Union of Railways is an international rail transport industry body.

SEDOL stands for Stock Exchange Daily Official List, a list of security identifiers used in the United Kingdom and Ireland for clearing purposes. The numbers are assigned by the London Stock Exchange, on request by the security issuer. SEDOLs serve as the National Securities Identifying Number for all securities issued in the United Kingdom and are therefore part of the security's ISIN as well. The SEDOL Masterfile (SMF) provides reference data on millions of global multi-asset securities each uniquely identified at the market level using a universal SEDOL code.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reporting mark</span> Alphabetic code ID used on the North American railroad network

A reporting mark is a code used to identify owners or lessees of rolling stock and other equipment used on certain rail transport networks. The code typically reflects the name or identifying number of the owner, lessee, or operator of the equipment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ISO 6346</span> International standard covering the coding, identification and marking of shipping containers


ISO 6346 is an international standard covering the coding, identification and marking of intermodal (shipping) containers used within containerized intermodal freight transport by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The standard establishes a visual identification system for every container that includes a unique serial number, the owner, a country code, a size, type and equipment category as well as any operational marks. The register of container owners is managed by the International Container Bureau (BIC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elementary arithmetic</span> Numbers and the basic operations on them

Elementary arithmetic is a branch of mathematics that deals with basic numerical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It is a fundamental subject that forms the basis for more advanced mathematical concepts. Due to its low level of abstraction, elementary arithmetic is the most universally taught branch of mathematics.

Originally, both Deutsche Bundesbahn and Deutsche Reichsbahn continued the classification system of the Deutsche Reichsbahn (DRG) – see also a short overview of the numbering system of the German railways. When UIC introduced a new classification system that could be processed by the computers of the late 1960s, DB did a major modification of their system, effective 1 January 1968. This system is still in use and now includes the engines of the former GDR railways as well.

The National Health Index (NHI) number is the unique person identifier used within the New Zealand health system. It is technically not a number but rather an alphanumeric identifier consisting of 7 characters, with three letters and four numbers. It is often referred to as the NHI, although care must be taken when using this abbreviated term, because the NHI can also refer to the national collection of health care user demographic data.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swiss locomotive and railcar classification</span> Classifications of Swiss trains

For more than a century, the Swiss locomotive, multiple unit, motor coach and railcar classification system, in either its original or updated forms, has been used to name and classify the rolling stock operated on the railways of Switzerland. It started out as a uniform system for the classification and naming of all rolling stock, powered and unpowered, but had been replaced and amended by the UIC classification of goods wagons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UIC classification of goods wagons</span>

This list contains the UIC classification of goods wagons and their meanings. The description is made up of a category letter and usually several index letters.

The UIC identification marking for tractive stock is a standard for identifying train stock like locomotives that supply tractive force primarily in Europe. Since the beginning of 2007 locomotives or other traction units in Europe have been given a 12-digit number. Vehicle numbering is now governed by the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail and in Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) of the European Union, specifically the European Railway Agency's CR OPE TSI. This makes the locomotive clearly identifiable within Europe and parts of Asia and northern Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Covered goods wagon</span> Enclosed railway wagon used to carry freight

A covered goods wagon or van is a railway goods wagon which is designed for the transportation of moisture-susceptible goods and therefore fully enclosed by sides and a fixed roof. They are often referred to simply as covered wagons, and this is the term used by the International Union of Railways (UIC). Since the introduction of the international classification for goods wagons by the UIC in the 1960s a distinction has been drawn between ordinary and special covered wagons. Other types of wagon, such as refrigerated vans and goods wagons with opening roofs, are closely related to covered wagons from a design point of view. Similar freight cars in North America are called boxcars.

In rail freight transportation the terms wagonload or wagonload freight refer to trains made of single wagon consignments of freight. In the US and Canada the term carload refers to a single car of any kind, and manifest train refers to trains made of diverse cars of freight.

A new wagon numbering system was adopted in Indian Railways in 2003. Wagons are allocated 11 digits, making it easy for identification and computerization of a wagon's information. The first two digits indicate Type of Wagon, the third and fourth digits indicate Owning Railway Zone, the fifth and sixth digits indicate Year of Manufacture, the seventh through tenth digits indicate Individual Wagon Number, and the last digit is a Check digit.

References

  1. see: UTP Marking 2015, Uniform Technical Prescription Applicable to Vehicle Numbers and linked alphabetical marking on the bodywork: THE RAILWAY VEHICLE MARKING, Applicable from 1.1.2015, retrieved from: OTIF page Prescriptions and Other Rules
  2. Leaflet 419-2, Analytical numbering of international freight trains, Obligatory, 2nd edition, November 2008 - Translation, 1/09 (issued 1/02/2009), ISBN   978-2-7461-1957-4
  3. Leaflet 428-1, International sorting system for wagonload traffic, Obligatory, 1st edition of 1.10.77 and 1 Amendment
  4. Leaflet 438-2, Identification marking for freight rolling stock, Obligatory, 7th edition, May 2004 - Translation, 3/04 (issued 1/08/2004), ISBN   2-7461-0699-X
  5. Leaflet 920-1, Standard numerical coding for railway undertakings, infrastructure managers and others companies involved in rail-transport chains, Obligatory, 6th edition, November 2005 - Original, 4/05 (issued 1/11/2005), ISBN   2-7461-1023-7
  6. Leaflet 920-10, Standard numerical code for railway customers, Obligatory, 1st edition of 1.7.74 and 1 Amendment
  7. Leaflet 920-14, Standard numerical country coding for use in railway traffic, Obligatory, 2nd edition, March 2005 - Translation, 2/05 (issued 1/05/2005), ISBN   2-7461-0929-8